Ceramic Tile Setting Course

Lesson 1 • Workplace Safety and Regulations

Covers hazard identification, personal protective equipment, and compliance with occupational safety standards. Safe work habits established here apply throughout every chapter.

Lesson 2 • Essential Tools and Equipment

Introduces hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments used in tile setting. Correct tool selection directly affects installation quality and efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Reading Tile Specifications and Plans

Teaches interpretation of manufacturer data sheets, installation drawings, and layout plans. Accurate plan reading prevents costly material and layout errors.

Lesson 1 • Repairing and Leveling Substrates

Addresses patching cracks, filling voids, and applying self-leveling compounds to achieve required flatness tolerances. Proper leveling is critical for large-format tile success.

Lesson 2 • Waterproofing Wet Area Substrates

Introduces sheet membrane and liquid-applied waterproofing systems for showers, floors, and wet rooms. Waterproofing prevents substrate damage and tile delamination over time.

Lesson 3 • Surface Cleaning and Priming

Covers removal of contaminants, application of bonding primers, and surface profiling methods. Clean, primed surfaces maximise adhesive bond strength.

Lesson 4 • Surface Inspection Techniques

Teaches flatness testing, moisture testing, and structural integrity checks before tile installation. Identifying defects early prevents tile failure and costly rework.

Lesson 1 • Establishing Reference Lines

Teaches snapping chalk lines, using laser levels, and squaring rooms with the 3-4-5 method. Accurate reference lines are the foundation of every successful tile installation.

Lesson 2 • Principles of Balanced Tile Layout

Explains centred, offset, and diagonal layout strategies and their visual impact. Choosing the right layout strategy minimises awkward cuts and enhances aesthetics.

Lesson 3 • Wall Layout Considerations

Addresses vertical reference lines, starting courses, and coordinating wall and floor layouts. Wall layouts require additional planning to align grout joints across surfaces.

Lesson 1 • Trowel Notch Selection and Technique

Explains how notch size and shape affect mortar coverage and back-buttering requirements. Achieving minimum 80% coverage in dry areas and 95% in wet areas is the industry standard.

Lesson 2 • Mortar Mixing Techniques

Teaches correct water-to-powder ratios, slaking time, and mechanical mixing procedures. Properly mixed mortar achieves full bond strength and workable consistency.

Lesson 3 • Types of Tile-Setting Adhesives

Compares thin-set mortar, medium-bed mortar, epoxy adhesive, and mastic. Each adhesive type has specific performance characteristics that determine appropriate applications.

Lesson 4 • Specialty Mortars for Specific Applications

Introduces rapid-setting, large-format, and uncoupling membrane mortars for specialised projects. Selecting specialty mortars expands the range of installations a tile setter can complete.

Lesson 1 • Cutting Specialty Tile Materials

Addresses cutting glass, natural stone, and mosaic sheets with appropriate tools and techniques. Specialty materials require adjusted blade types, speeds, and handling methods.

Lesson 2 • Drilling Holes in Tile

Covers diamond core bits, carbide bits, and drilling technique for fixture penetrations. Clean holes prevent tile cracking and ensure proper fixture seating.

Lesson 3 • Angle Grinder Cutting Applications

Addresses using angle grinders with diamond blades for curved cuts, notches, and tight spaces. Grinder cutting complements wet saw work for complex shapes and field adjustments.

Lesson 4 • Wet Saw Operation and Safety

Teaches wet saw setup, blade selection, feed rate, and water cooling management. The wet saw is the primary tool for accurate cuts in porcelain and large-format tile.

Lesson 1 • Lippage Control and Leveling Systems

Introduces tile leveling clip systems and manual techniques to minimise lippage between adjacent tiles. Lippage control is especially critical for large-format and rectified tiles.

Lesson 2 • Wall Tile Setting Sequence

Covers ledger board use, working from the bottom up, and managing tile weight on vertical surfaces. Wall setting requires additional support strategies to prevent tile slippage before mortar sets.

Lesson 3 • Floor Tile Setting Sequence

Establishes the step-by-step process for spreading mortar, setting tiles, and maintaining layout lines on floors. Following the correct sequence prevents disturbing set tiles and maintains alignment.

Lesson 4 • Setting Trim and Accent Tiles

Addresses installation of bullnose, pencil liner, listello, and decorative accent tiles. Trim tiles finish edges and transitions and require precise alignment with field tile.

Lesson 1 • Grout Application Techniques

Covers float angle, diagonal spreading, packing joints fully, and initial cleanup timing. Correct application technique ensures dense, void-free joints with minimal surface residue.

Lesson 2 • Grout Cleanup and Haze Removal

Addresses staged sponge washing, haze removal, and final buffing to achieve clean tile surfaces. Proper cleanup timing prevents grout haze from hardening on tile faces.

Lesson 3 • Caulking Movement Joints

Explains where movement joints are required, how to prepare them, and how to apply and tool sealant. Movement joints prevent tile cracking caused by substrate and structure movement.

Lesson 4 • Grout Types and Selection

Compares sanded, unsanded, epoxy, and urethane grouts by joint width, location, and performance needs. Correct grout selection affects durability, stain resistance, and appearance.

Lesson 1 • Radiant Floor Heating Integration

Covers electric mat and hydronic system installation beneath tile, including mortar encapsulation and thermostat placement. Tile over heating systems requires specific mortar types and cure protocols.

Lesson 2 • Mosaic and Decorative Pattern Work

Teaches mesh-backed mosaic installation, hand-set pattern work, and medallion placement techniques. Decorative installations demand precise layout planning and careful adhesive management.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting and Quality Inspection

Covers identifying hollow tiles, lippage, grout voids, and efflorescence, plus corrective actions. Systematic inspection and repair skills ensure installations meet professional quality standards.

Lesson 4 • Exterior Tile Installation

Addresses freeze-thaw rated materials, slope requirements, and movement joint spacing for outdoor installations. Exterior tile faces thermal cycling and moisture exposure not present indoors.